Vick would bring buzz to Rams

Sports Columnist Bernie Miklasz
ST. LOUIS POST-DISPATCH
01/17/2010

Michael Vick served 19 months in federal prison for his role in running an extremely cruel and heinous dogfighting ring. If you believe Vick deserves additional penalties, then imagine the punishment he'd receive by playing quarterback for the Rams.

It could happen, if the Philadelphia Eagles decide to release or trade Vick after deciding not to pick up his option for 2010. Vick was a part-time quarterback and designated wildcat-formation runner for the Eagles this season. Considering his long layoff and two years out of the game, Vick played pretty well. Moreover, Eagles coaches praised Vick's dedication and the positive changes he made in his life. But it would be costly to keep Vick as a backup, and Vick would prefer being a No. 1 quarterback elsewhere.

The Rams need a starting quarterback. The Rams need a lot of things, as evidenced by their 6-42 record and last-place NFL ranking in points scored over the last three seasons.

So yes, there is a fit. And there are some obvious connections in play here. Rams GM Billy Devaney was part of the Atlanta organization during Vick's career there and visited Vick in prison. Rams coach Steve Spagnuolo and offensive coordinator Pat Shurmur are former assistants to Eagles coach Andy Reid and they trust his judgment. If Reid recommends Vick, Spagnuolo will listen.

Vick may have other, more appealing, options. Several NFL teams are on the lookout for starting quarterbacks and Vick's stock is up after his positive experience in Philadelphia.

"I tried to be the best ambassador that I could be in the community," Vick told Philadelphia reporters. "And that won't stop. I'll continue to do that, and I'll continue to work hard."

If the Rams get the chance to land Vick, would the relationship work?

There's Vick, the quarterback. Would he be effective? And then there's Vick as a high-profile figure. Would Rams fans accept his arrival or be offended by his presence? Recently I set up an unscientific poll on my "Five Minutes" blog at STLtoday.com. I posed a simple question: Yes or no on Vick as the Rams' QB?

Of the 10,551 respondents, 62 percent were in favor of Vick becoming a Ram.

I've heard from Rams fans who insist they'll cancel their season tickets if Vick is signed. And there's little doubt the Rams would face some passionate, vociferous anti-Vick protests. But I've also heard from fans who say the addition of Vick would motivate them to keep their tickets. They're tired of the dull football and believe Vick would bring excitement to games.

Those opposing Vick probably would be more visible and louder than those who support him. Some of the initial anti-Vick sentiment would fade, just as it did in Philadelphia.

OK, now what about Vick as a quarterback? It probably is worthless to measure his passing stats against those put up by classic pocket passers. But let's take a look, anyway:

During Vick's five seasons (2002-2006) as the starter in Atlanta, he was one of 31 NFL quarterbacks with at least 1,000 passing attempts over that time. And among those 31 QBs, he ranked 25th in passer rating (76.7) and 30th in completion percentage (54.4 percent). His touchdown pass-interception ratio was around 16th. Vick didn't have great wide receivers in Atlanta and often used the tight end. Vick, however, did connect on more bombs — passes of 41 or more yards — than all but two NFL quarterbacks from 2002-2006.

Vick's effectiveness had to do with his mobility and overall ability to make plays after scrambling the defense out of position. In his five seasons as a starter, Vick ranked 19th in the NFL in rushing yards (3,570), averaged 7.2 yards per run and galloped for 20 touchdowns. He ran for 204 first downs and had 141 runs of more than 10 yards.

There was a minus to all of that scrambling. Over Vick's five-year run as the Falcons starter only four NFL quarterbacks were sacked more times. Vick lost 1,040 yards on 166 sacks and often was criticized for not getting the pass away on time. Because of his running ability Vick would hold on to the ball, thinking he could escape the pass rush. Many times he did. But he got trapped a lot, too.

This season Vick said he's developed into a more complete quarterback and credited Eagles starter Donovan McNabb with teaching him the importance of extra preparation.

"I feel like I'm probably better than I ever was in my career, as far as the mental aspect of the game," Vick told Philadelphia reporters.

Vick would give the Rams more of a perimeter-based attack, and that would help considering the way defenses are clustering between the tackles to stuff Rams running back Steven Jackson. In theory Vick would create an outside threat, the defense would have to respect it, and that would open room for Jackson. But is Vick still quick? He'll be 30 by the start of the 2010 season.

Now that I've tried to display both sides of the Vick debate, here's my opinion:

Vick would be an upgrade, at least until the Rams draft and develop a young quarterback to take over.

The Rams have a severe shortage of playmakers, and Vick is a playmaker. The Rams are boring, and Vick is anything but dull. Pro football is supposed to be entertainment, and Vick is a charismatic performer. The Rams must create some sizzle, and Vick would have people buzzing about the franchise again. Pro and con.

Vick might not immediately transform the Rams into a winner, but at least he'd make them relevant again. Whether you love him or hate him, Vick is a compelling reason to watch the games.

Re: Vick would bring buzz to Rams

Not a surprise that Bernie represents the majority, all he is doing is keeping himself a popular columist who doesnt actually know what he is talking about. Vick and upgrade of Null much less Bugler is a huge stretch.

Re: Vick would bring buzz to Rams

As I've stated previously on the subject, I am vehemently against bringing in Vick. I list the following reasons:

1. He was not a good passer BEFORE his nonsense with the dogfighting.
2. The only area where he ranked in the upper echelon of QB's (according to Bernie's stats) was throwing the bomb- something that does NOT mesh well with Coach Steve Spagnuolo's ground game/defensive emphasis- not to mention we have no consistent deep threat at all.
3. Even with his ability to scramble, Vick was sacked a ton of times. Think our offensive line will improve those numbers??
4. He is in his 30's- which in and of itself doesn't matter, but his primary strength- the ability to scramble- isn't gonna' get any better as he gets older.
5. I was among many who felt (and still feel) he is a brainless, twisted individual who I do not want to have to root for with a Ram uniform on his back.

I will be disgusted if he is signed, though disappointment with Rams football has been pretty much the order of the day for the past 5 years. Draft a QB, groom him and play him. Get another veteran in here if necessary to warm the seat, but keep Vick out of here.

Re: Vick would bring buzz to Rams

Vick might not immediately transform the Rams into a winner, but at least he'd make them relevant again. Whether you love him or hate him, Vick is a compelling reason to watch the games.

Just brilliant Bernie. That's all the Rams need, a ridiculous spectacle in the midst of a team trying to rebuild and find an identity.

Most of Bernie's case for Vick is based on what he did years ago. He certainly couldn't be basing it on the few plays he was in on this year. There is absolutely no good reason to take a chance on a guy who is a complete mystery at this point in time. An aging, polarizing, controversial, distraction creating mystery.

I still find it amusing that no one voicing opinions in favor of Vick want to address the point Nick has made numerous times - if Vick is so great, why did the Eagles barely put him on the field?

Re: Vick would bring buzz to Rams

Ever think of giving people second chances NJ Ramsfan? I find it brainless and twisted to go on harboring hatred for someone when they clearly have been trying to move on with their life and have acknowledged their past faults. Vick has enough senseless haters without you adding to them. Leave the past in the past....

People learn and get smarter as they get older, Vick has had more opportunity to study behind guys and see the game in a new light. He wants to start and therefore will have the drive to study the film and get better, rather than rely solely on athletic ability as he did before.

If he is released, bring the guy in and see what he can do. Like ive said elsewhere, if he doesn't show you what you wanted to see he can go elsewhere, no harm done...

The Vick protesting crap is old news and people seriously need to get off their high horse. He went to jail, had his name and life ruined, what more do you want? Blood?

Being the undisputed worse team in the league grants you the ability to exhaust options you normally wouldn't have thought of. The rams need play-makers and they should be everywhere looking for them. No harm done at all bringing a guy in to work out with your team and show off in practice. Stupid to simply rule him out based on the little action hes got to see.

Re: Vick would bring buzz to Rams

Originally Posted by Bralidore(RAMMODE)

People learn and get smarter as they get older, Vick has had more opportunity to study behind guys and see the game in a new light. He wants to start and therefore will have the drive to study the film and get better, rather than rely solely on athletic ability as he did before.

That's the theory. Practice and experience indicate that is not always the case. All of what you have just said is based on propaganda that the Eagles themselves have put out in order to improve his possible trade value. That does not make it reality.

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You know what else would create a buzz in St. Louis? Putting Milkasz in the stocks on one of the concourses for halftime during ever Rams game and letting fans pelt him with fruits and vegetables. And it wouldn't cost the Rams anything beyond janitorial fees. Cheaper even than a Veteran minimum contract for Vick.

Re: Vick would bring buzz to Rams

Originally Posted by Bralidore(RAMMODE)

Ever think of giving people second chances NJ Ramsfan?

If you dont mesh with that argument any of NJ's other four arguments are valid and cannot be argued against. Face it he is a washed up gimmick QB who has relied on his athleticism for years. We need to draft a legit QB or pick up a FA QB like campbell, pennington, smith, or orton.

Re: Vick would bring buzz to Rams

The Vick protesting crap is old news and people seriously need to get off their high horse. He went to jail, had his name and life ruined, what more do you want? Blood?

He did not have his name and life ruined, he ruined his own name and life, kind of like Lawrence Phillips.

Being the undisputed worse team in the league grants you the ability to exhaust options you normally wouldn't have thought of.

OK, let me understand this...Last season, Detroit (then the worst team in the league) had Jon Kitna at QB. To improve the team, they should have brought in Ryan Leaf at that position? Replacing Bulger with Vick is doing just that - replacing a fairly decent QB with one who never really did anything. Sure, he was on a team that won a couple of playoff games, but so was John Lewis. Since we need Wide Recievers, should we sign him just because he was on the same Falcons playoff team in January 2004 that Vick was on?

Since he began his NFL career in 2003, he has never fumbled the ball, never dropped a pass, so therefore he must have good hands and would immediately make our team a contender. Sounds like someone we need. He is also available, and we could most likely get him cheap.

Would John Lewis be a good fit for the Rams? No. He only wore an NFL uniform one year, and never once got on the field except to dream. Just because he was on a playoff team and never dropped a pass or fumbled does NOT make him a player we want in horns. Same thing with Vick - so he was on a couple of playoff teams. Big deal. So was Jamie Martin. In fact, he was even on the roster of the Super Bowl in 2001. No one wanted him for a starting QB when Kurt was cut even with those credentials. Why? BECAUSE HE WAS NOT ANY BETTER THAN WHO WE HAD.

Re: Vick would bring buzz to Rams

Originally Posted by 01d 0rd3r

Not a surprise that Bernie represents the majority, all he is doing is keeping himself a popular columist who doesnt actually know what he is talking about. Vick and upgrade of Null much less Bugler is a huge stretch.

It's time some of you face the reality that Marc Bulger is an average Qb at his best. Without HOF's around, he is below average. He has no more skill than Keith Null, only experience and opportunity.

If all the starting QB's in the NFL were put through drills at the combine, he would undoubtedly rank in the lower third of the league.

Michael Vick, even at this stage is far superior to Marc Bulger athletically. Which is exactly what the Rams need given the recent state of the offensive line.

People here have spoken negatively about his plight and ability as if Marc Bulger has lit the world on fire.

Marc Bulger will never lead this team anywhere and it's time some of you face the reality of that.